AU696066B2 - Window grill lock - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT r r r r r e r~ c Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: Jonathan Garling Jonathan Garling Chrysiliou Moore Chrysiliou Solicitors Attorneys CMC Centre, 143 Sydney Road Fairlight, Sydney, NSW 2094 Window Grill Lock The following statement is a invention including the best me:full description of this method of performing it known to I L~ This invention relates to security systems for windows, doors and other openings and more particularly to security screen systems for windows or doors.

Windows provide a way of unauthorised access into a building. To prevent or discourage unauthorised access through a window it is common to provide bars externally of the window or window locks to lock the sashes in a closed or partially open position. However neither bars or window locks provide a satisfactory overall solution.

oo Window locks leave the window opening unobstructed. Thus an intruder may still gain access by breaking the window pane. However in an emergency situation, such as a fire, access out of the building through the window is not obstructed.

Permanently affixed bars or grills provide a much more eooeo: effective barrier to unauthorised access. Access through the window may only be achieved by removal of the bars or grills, which may be impossible without power tools.

However, the very security provided by such bars and grills in turn provides a safety hazard since, in an emergency, exit from the building through the windows is effectively prevented.

In an attempt to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides, in one broad form:

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-3- A lock for securing a wing in an aperture, comprising: a housing adapted to be secured in or to the wing; a lock bolt reciprocally mounted on or in the housing for movement between a first position and a second position; first biassing means biassing the lock bolt to the second position; restraining means for releasably engaging and restraining the lock bolt in the first position, wherein, in use, when in the first position, the bolt extends to engage in or with securing means mounted on or adjacent the aperture to secure the wing in position.

Preferably the restraining mechanism can only restrain movement of the lock bolt when the bolt is in the first position. That is, when the bolt is not in the first position the bolt is free to move.

Preferably the restraining mechanism includes a movable pin which is biased towards the bolt. Preferably the pin engages a groove or stop on the bolt when the bolt is in the first position.

-4- Moving means are provided to selectively move the pin away from the bolt and allow it to move under the influence of the first biassing means. Preferably the moving means is pneumatically powered, so that in a power failure the mechanism is still operable. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the pin is mounted on a piston which in turn is reciprocally mounted in a cylinder. Application of a high pneumatic pressure to the cylinder drives the piston and pin away from the bolt.

The source of high pressure may be a bottle of compressed gas. Alternatively, a chemical reaction may be utilised to create gas at a high pressure by way of a two part device.

Whilst an ordinary gas bottle is usable, since the device would not be used repeatedly and quite possibly only once, many years after installation, it is preferable that a sealed gas bottle be provided as the source of high pressure. The lock includes a piercing mechanism to pierce .oeo.i the bottle when release of the lock is desired. For security, this piercing mechanism should be placed away from the window so it cannot be activated by an intruder.

Accordingly a tube or pipe communicates the piercing mechanism with the piston and cylinder. A suitable source of high pressure is a sealed C02 gas bulb commonly available and used in devices such as soda bottles.

Preferably, the lock is used to lock window grills in position. However, the lock is also applicable for use on doors, particularly fire doors, which need to be locked .most of the time but may be released in an emergency without a key.

Since a fire door presents a solid surface, an intruder on the outside of the door cannot access the interior.

Accordingly, the lock of the precent invention may be attached to the door with its source of high pressure :i next to or incorporated in the housing without the need to be at a remote location. Similarly the lock may be provided with a manual override mechanism such that it may be unlocked and locked without use of the high pressure source. This may be by way of a lever attached to the stop pin and with the bolt extending out of the housing in the unlocked position. Alternatively, a keyed manual override system may be provided such that unlocking of the door, other than by the high pressure source, may only be by authorised personnel.

In another application, the lock may be applied to a pivoting panel of a door itself. Thus, a normal lock may be used for the door for normal use but in an emergency the lock of the present invention may be activated to release a panel in the door. If desired the lock of the present invention may be located within the door so that the door appears normal.

The invention shall be better understood from the -6following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the drawings, in which: Fig 1 shows a side view of a window grill in a window opening with a lock according to the invention. For clarity the actual window is not shown.

S..Fig 2 shows in detail the locking mechanism for the grill of Fig 1.

Fig 3 shows in detail the release mechanism for the locking mechanism of Fig 2.

Fig 4 is a cross-section of the release mechanism of Fig 3.

Fig 5 is a schematic view of the invention as applied to a door.

Referring to the figures 1 to 4, there is shown a window opening 10 in a wall 12 of a building. Positioned within the opening 10 is a grill 14 which substantially blocks passage through the opening 10 by large objects, such as humans.

On one vertical side of the grill there are two hinges 16 which attach to the wall 12, whereby the grill 14 may pivot about a substantially vertical axis defined by the -7hinges 16, Provided adjacent the opposite vertical side edge there is a locking mechanism 18. The locking mechanism 18 includes a locking bolt 20, preferably of stainless steei. The locking bolt 20 is mounted for movement along its axis in a horizontal direction between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position the bolt 20 extends into an aperture in the adjacent wall and prevents movement of the grill. In the unlocked position, the bolt 20 clears the wall and thus the grill is free to pivot about its hinges 16. Preferably the bolt 20, when in the locked position, engages in a locking plate 22 securely affixed to the wall. It will be appreciated that the locking mechanism 18 may be secured adjacent a horizontal edge of the grill 14 with the bolt 20 moving vertically.

Thus, when the locking bolt 20 is in the locked position, *"the grill 14 substantially blocks the window opening o i and .nauthorised passage through the opening 10 is prevented. However, when there is an emergency, such as a fire, the locking bolt 20 may be retracted (as will be explained below) thereby allowing the grill 14 to be pivoted so as to unblock the opening 10. Thus relatively unrestricted access through the opening 10 is provided, allowing escape.

Referring to Fig 2, the locking mechanism 18 comprises a metal housing 30 within which is located the locking bolt and a restraining mechanism, generally indicated by 32.

The housing 30 includes a cover (not shown in Fig 2) so as to enclose the components within and prevent tampering.

The housing 30 is provided with two bosses 34, 36, each of which has a co-axial aperture 38 therethrough. The locking bolt 20 is mounted in the aperture so as to be movable axially. The housing has an aperture 40 through which the outer end 44 of lock bolt 20 protrudes. In Fig 2 the lock bolt 20 is in the locked position and protrudes from the housing 30 to pass through an aperture 42 in the locking plate 22.

The inner end 46 of bolt 20 is provided with a washer 48.

The washer may be secured to the lock bolt 20 by means of a circlip (not shown). Sandwiched between the washer 48 and the boss 34 is a spring 50. Preferably the spring is a coil spring wrapped around the bolt 20. The spring is in compression and thus applies a leftwards directed force on the washer 48 and bolt The locking bolt 20 is provided with an annular groove 52.

Preferably this groove 52 is located intermediate the two bosses 34, 36 when the bolt 20 is in the locked position.

The restraining mechanism 32 includes a stop pin 54 which is spring biased towards the bolt 20. When the groove 52 and pin 54 are aligned, as in Fig 2, the pin 54 extends into the groove 52 and prevents axial movement of the bolt Once the stop pin 54 is located in the groove 52, the bolt cannot move until the pin 54 is retracted. Upon retraction of the pin 54, the spring 50 urges the bolt leftwards to an unlocked position, in which position the .".bolt 20 clears the locking plate 22. Preferably, the bolt 20 includes a stop to limit its leftwards movement.

Alternatively, the housing may be sized so that leftwards movement is limited by the inner end 46 of the bolt bearing against the housing The housing 30 is provided with a small aperture 56 adjacent the inner end 46 of the bolt 20 and substantially in line with the bolt 20. As mentioned previously, the housing 30 fully encloses the locking mechanism and the aperture 56 is to enable locking of the grill in position.

To move the bolt 20 to its locked position, it is necessary to insert a rod or similar device through the aperture 56 to bear on the inner end 46 of the bolt The bolt 20 may be pushed towards the right until the stop pin 54 engages in the annular groove 52. As mentioned previously, movement of the bolt 20 can then only be achieved by actuating the restraining mechanism 32.

The restraining mechanism 32 comprises a hollow housing which includes a cylindrical portion 62, at least partially closed at its lower end 64. Sealingly located within the cylindrical portion is a piston 66, on which is mounted the stop pin 54. The stop pin 54 extez.12 upwardly from the piston 66 and through an aperture in the housing so that its free end is adjacent the lock bolt Preferably, the aperture is provided with a seal such as an o-ring. Sandwiched between the piston 66 and the lower .".end 64 of the cylindrical position 62 is a spring 68 which urges the piston 66 and hence stop pin 54 upwards.

The housing 30 receive a gas tube 70, preferably of a flexible material, such as polyethelene, which communicates with the upper side of the piston 66.

Preferably, the tube 70 has a nipple 71 which screws into the housing 60. The tube 70 passes through an aperture in the housing 30 and extends horizontally towards the hinge side of the grill 14 hidden within a horizontal bar. If desired the tube may be merely secured to the bars of the grill 14 but this is unsightly and not secure an intruder could cut the tube and apply a high pressure to release the bolt The tube 70 extends from the grill 14 to the wall 12.

Preferably, for aesthetic reasons the tube is buried within the wall 12. Preferably, the tube 70 is provided with some slack so that the grill 14 may be opened without placing tension on the tube. Alternatively, a suitable L -11swivelling joint may be provided to achieve the same result.

The tube 70 extends buried in the wall some distance to a release mechanism, generally indicated by 72. Preferably, the release mechanism is located in a housing 73. The release mechanism 72 includes a release button 74 The release mechanism 72 may be secured to the wall surface or it may be partially buried with the release button 74 extending out of the wall. Preferably, the release mechanism is placed on the wall in a position where it cannot be activated by a person outside the grill. This may be also achieved by providing the housing 72 with a cover 76 over the release button 74.

The release button 74 is mounted on a piercing pin 78 which in turn is slidably mounted on a housing 80. The piercing pin 78 is slidably received in a bore 77 in o housing 80. Mounted between the release button 76 and housing 80 is a spring 79, to urge the release button 76 upwards. The pin 78 has a stop 81 to limit upwards movement. Preferably, the bore has an O-ring 83 which seals against the pin.

The pin 78 extends into a cavity 86 which comprises two coaxial bores 87, 88. The pin 78 is normally loiated in the upper bore 87, but when the release button is depressed, it extends into the lower bore 88.

-12- The lower bore 88 is sized to receive the neck of a gas bottle or bulb 84. The bulb 84 is of the sealed type commonly used in soda bottles. When in position the bulb 84 bears against an O-ring 85 positioned at the junction of the two bores 87, 88. Thus, when the pin 78 is pushed downwards, it pierces the bulb 84 and the gas in the bulb 84 is released into upper bore 87. The tube 70 has a nipple 89 at its end which screws into a passageway which communicates with upper bore 87. Thus gas released from the bulb 84 may pass into the tube The lower end 82 of the housing 80 is provided with an external thread, sized to receive a carrier 91 for the •bulb 84. The carrier 91 is sized so that when it is fully screwed onto the housing 80, the bulb 84 is correctly positioned within bore 88 with the correct compression on O-ring seal 85. Preferably, the carrier 91 and/or lower end 82 has a stop to prevent overtightening.

When the release button 74 is depressed, the piercing pin 78 pierces the bulb 84 and releases the compressed gas into upper bore 87, passageway 90 and hence into tube The gas pressure then acts on the piston 66 in the restraining mechanism 32, driving it downwards and releasing the stop pin 54 from the lock bolt 20. The spring 50 urges the bolt 20 leftwards and free of the plate 22 leaving the grill 14 free to be pivoted out of the way. To reset the system, the grill 14 is pivoted -13back into place and the lockbolt 20 pushed to the right by a rod inserted into aperture 56. The gas bulb 84 is replaced by a fresh bulb 84 and the system is again usable.

It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to maintain a high pressure to the restraining mechanism 30 once the bolt 20 has moved to the left, it cannot return to a locked position. Thus the locking system is relatively failsafe.

In a similar matter, the use of a sealed gas bulb 84 en3ures that the lockinq mechanism may always be released, since there is no possibility of the bulb losing pressure before its seal is broken. It will be appreciated that if desired the release/restraining mechanism described may be replaced by other mechanisms, such as a solenoid operated stop pin. However, it will be appreciated that the system described herein provides greater reliability and will still be usable without any external power.

Referring to Fig 5, there is shown a door 100 positioned within a doorway 102. The door 100 is pivotably mounted by hinges 104 in the doorway 102 and a conventional lock 106 secures the door 102 in a closed position.

The frame 108 of the door is a conventional figure 8 type, having a central horizontal stile 110. The upper aperture -14- 112 in the frame is permanently closed by way of a panel 114 secured within the aperture 112 or panels secured on either side of the frame 108. The lower aperture 116 is closed by way of a panel 118. This panel 118 is hinged to horizontal stile 110 by way of hinges 120. Attached to the panel 118 along its lower edge is a locking mechanism 122 according to the invention and substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The bolt 124 :oeo of the locking mechanism 122 extends into the lower frame rail 126 and secures the panel 114 in a closed position.

The release mechanism 128 is preferably secured to or in the horizontal stile 110 so as to be at a convenient height.

It will be apparent that during normal use the entire door may be unlocked and swung on its hinges 104 and subsequently locked, if desired. In an emergency, if the door is locked, the locking device 122 may be released, so as to allow the panel 118 to be pivoted on hinges 120 and to allow an emergency exit.

It will be appreciated that the door and the hinged panel 118 may be of a different configuration. If desired, the panel 118 may pivot from the vertical frame rails or from the lower frame rail 126. In the latter case, release of the panel 118 would result in it falling to the ground, without the need for it to be pushed out of the way.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiment described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

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Claims (9)

1. A lock for a wing in an aperture comprising: a housing adapted to be secured in or to the wing; a lock bolt reciprocally mounted on or in the housing for movement between a first position and a second position; first biasing means biasing the lock bolt to the second position; restraining means for releasably engaging and restraining the lock bolt in the first position, wherein, the use, when in the first position, the bolt extends to engage in or with securing means mounted on or adjacent the aperture to secure the wing in the aperture and when in the second position the bolt is remote from the securing means and the wing is not secured in the aperture by the lock.

2. The lock of claim 1 wherein the restraining means comprises a movable stop pin biased towards the bolt by a second biasing means. 15

3. The lock of claim 2 wherein, when the bolt is in the first position, the stop pin engages a stop or groove on the bolt and thereby restrains the bolt in the first position.

4. The lock of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the stop pin is mounted on a piston, the piston reciprocally mounted in a cylinder, and defining a chamber therein. me 20

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein application of a high pressure to the chamber drives the piston and stop pin away from the bolt.

6. The lock of claim 5 further comprising a source of high pressure and means to selectively communicate the high pressure to the chamber. RAQ G~4T 0 16 0 o:\patents\claims\67546.doc

7. The lock of claim 6 wherein the source of high pressure is a sealed single use gas bottle and the communication means comprises a piercing means to pierce the gas bottle.

8. The lock of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the source of high pressure is remote from the housing and the communication means includes passageway means communicating the gas bottle with the chamber.

9. The combination of a window grill or a door and a lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8. A lock substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. a a.. Dated this 17th day of July, 1998 JONATHAN GARLING by his Patent Attorneys CHRYSILIOU MOORE MARTIN Abstract The invention is a lock (18) for a wing (14) in an aperture The lock (18) has a lock bolt (44) movable between two positions. In the first position the bolt (44) locks the wing (14) in position and in the second position the bolt (44) unlocks the wing The bolt (44) is biased to the second position but restraining means (32) are provided to engage and restrain the bolt (44) in the first position. Thus on release of the restraining means the lock automatically unlocks the wing (14). 0